from His hand

The grass often seems greener
where other people serve God.
surely they do great things
worthwhile things
but I, I seem to stagnate here
I wonder what will last
of all I do.

Changing diapers
folding clothes
reading books to little ones...
my ever-present fight with clutter,
errands to run
bedtime again -
all seems so mundane
so useless in the scheme of things

... and thinking so
I find that I forgot His ways -
the mystery of how
"little" in the world's eyes
may be "great" in His

forgot that Jesus said
"the Father Himself loves you" -
and when I live in light of that
I see aright again
that every moment comes
from His hand
given in love
for purposes that sometimes
He alone will understand

and if every moment
comes from Him
than I receive it gladly
happy again to be
but an unworthy servant
yet more -
a child of God
loved and precious to Him

we were redeemed
to live "no longer for ourselves
but for Him who died for [us] and rose again"
and this we can do
no matter where He puts us

your life will not be wasted
if you live to serve your King
tending the plot of ground
which He has lent to you

serving His Kingdom
serving His people
loving His people
even by a prayer
an encouragement
a cup of cold water in His name
He does not forget
such "labors of love"
service rendered unto Him
even in some obscure,
unseen place

"if He had asked you to do some great thing,
would you not have done it?
How much more then,
when He asks you to do
something small?"

may I remember
and be reminded
that it is an honor
to serve Him in something small
and to be faithful there

to leave to Him
the arranging of my life
my times
my sorrows and joys
and to receive gladly
every moment
from His loving hand


(Bible verses referred to: John 16:27. 2Corinthians 5:15. Matthew 10:42. Hebrews 6:10. 2Kings 5:13)